Coin caddy change-making mechanism



May 27, 1969 w. A. AUERBACH ETAL COIN CADDY CHANGE-MAKING MECHANISM Sheet Filed June 6, 1967 INVENTORS Z/V/Y/mm ,4 .Hqerbach H/berf Kan/775k R/charc/ Ca/zare fa ATTORNEYS May 27, 1969 w. A. AUERBACH ETAL 3,446,327

COIN CADDY CHANGE-MAKING MECHANISM Sheet Filed June 6, 1967 INVENTOR DUN/mm H.Huerbach H/ber? Kur/msk Richard Ca/zaref l %Z1ZAM a? QTTORNEYS y 1969 w. A. AUERBACH ETAL 3,446,327

COIN CADDY CHANGE-MAKING MECHANISM Sheet 3 of 5 INVENTORS flfluel bach Kan/775k;

Zare 767 Wf/l/am H/berf RIC/70rd CG/ Filed June 6, 1967 HTTOPN EYS COIN CADDY CHANGE-MAKING MECHANISM Sheet Filed June 6, 1967 G we m se m Nmmw Y). we z he. m wwfi ka A d 5 m: 0 h h uwm WH HT TORNEYS May 27, 1969 w. A. AUERBACH ETAL 3,446,327

COIN CADDY CHANGEMAKING MECHANISM Sheet Filed June 6, 1967 INVENTORS Will/am 6 H uerbach A /b er? Kur/msky R/c hard Ca/zareffg 7'.

HTTORNEYS United States Patent US. Cl. 194-2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coin mechanism for establishing credit and for giving change in coin of a certain denomination wherein a coin caddy assembly which receives coins from a totalizer retains the first coin of the certain denomination at the head of a change coin supply replenishing chute while passing the rest of the coins to a relatively large capacity coin caddy. When a purchase is made the retained coin is delivered to the change coin tube and the caddy delivers the rest of the coins to the cash box. When the coin return is operated the retained coin is moved out of the chute and to the caddy which returns all of the coins to the customer. Means is provided for slowing the first and third credit steps, each step corresponding to the value of the coin of the smallest denomination to be handled by the mechanism.

Background of the invention There are known in the prior art mechanisms for use in merchandising machines which receive coins of various denominations and which establish a credit equal to the aggregate sum in coins deposited in the machine. Some of these mechanisms of the prior art are also adapted to give change, usually in coins of a single denomination which is the smallest denomination the mechanism is designed to handle. Particularly, Krakauer et al. Patent No. 3,144,924 shows a coin released locking mechanism which totalizes coins to establish a credit, which is adapted to give change and which further is provided with means for replenishing the supply of coins to be given in change from coins deposited in the machine. In the structure shown in that patent, the first coin of the smallest denomination coming from the totalizer is retained at the head of a chute leading to the change coin tube. This chute is formed in part by a tiltable coin shelf on which the rest of the coins coming from the totalizer are retained on edge pending either a purchase or an operation of the coin return mechanism. When a purchase is made, the first coin of the lowest denomination is released to permit it to travel to the change coin tube and the shelf is tilted to deliver all the rest of the coins to the cash box. When the coin return mechanism is operated, the shelf is tilted in the other direction to return the coins to the customer.

While the coin mechanism shown in the Krakauer et al. patent is generally satisfactory, it embodies a number of defects. Under present-day conditions of inflation and with the increasing tax burden which is applied to articles such, for example, as cigarettes sold in merchandising machines using coin mechanism, the price of articles being sold has risen to a point at which the coin mechanism must be adapted to handle a relatively large number of coins. This problem is aggravated by the relative scarcity of large denomination coins. That is, while a relatively complicated and expensive coin mechanism might be made to handle large denomination coins, such as half dollars and dollars, the scarcity of these coins makes such a coin mechanism impractical.

3,446,327 Patented May 27, 1969 The principal defect of the Krakauer et al. coin mechanism is its inability successfully to handle a relatively large number of coins which, as is pointed out above, must be supported on edge on the coin shelf of that patent. Attempts to force the Krakauer et al. coin mechanism to handle a large number of coins have resulted in jamming or otherwise unsatisfactory operation of the mechanism which might, for example, cause a loss of coins to the customer.

The Krakauer et al. patent also shows a dashpot mechanism for slowing the totalizing movement corresponding to a sum equal to the value of the lowest denomination coin to be handled by the mechanism to prevent possible loss to a customer of a nickel in change. That is, if such a mechanism is not provided, a customer depositing a quarter to purchase a 20 article might not receive any change if he operates the machine too rapidly before the entire 25 has been totalized. We have discovered that the same possibility of loss exists where a person deposits two dimes to make a 15 purchase, for example. In operation of the regulated coin mechanism shown in the Krakauer et al. patent, after the first credit step has been slowed, the mechanism will rapidly totalize all subsequent deposits. Under those conditions a person depositing two dimes in succession may operate the machine before the entire 20 is totalized so that he does not get the required nickel in change. Studies have shown that the natural timing of the operations is such that this is likely to happen.

We have invented a coin caddy change-making mechanism which overcomes the problems pointed out hereinabove which are involved in the Krakauer et al. mechanism. Our mechanism is adapted to handle a large number of coins. The likelihood of the mechanism jamming is substantially eliminated. We have provided our mechanism with means for slowing the third nickels credit so as to obviate the possibility of a customer losing a nickel in change. Our mechanism is relatively simple for the result achieved thereby.

One object of our invention is to provide a coin caddy change-making mechanism which can handle a large number of coins.

Another object of our invention is to provide a coin caddy change-making mechanism in which the possibility of jamming is minimized.

A further object of our invention is to provide a coin caddy change-making mechanism wherein totalizing of the third unit of credit is slowed.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a coin caddy change-making mechanism which is relatively simple for the result achieved thereby.

Other and further objects of our invention will be apparent from the following description.

In general our invention contemplates the provision of a coin caddy change-making mechanism in which a coin guide assembly disposed below the totalizer retains the first coin of the smallest denomination coming from the totalizer while delivering all other coins to a coin caddy below the guide assembly. When a purchase is made, the retained coin is released to permit it to go to the change coin tube and the caddy is actuated to deliver the other coins to the cash box. When the coin return is operated, the retained coin is moved toward the caddy and the caddy is actuated to return all the coins, including the retained coin, to the customer. We provide our mechanism with an arrangement for slowing the totalizing movement corresponding to the first and third step thereof.

Brief description of the drawings In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are 3 used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of our coin caddy changemaking mechanism illustrating the relationship between the various subassemblies thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elecation of the coin mechanism shown in FIGURE 1 drawn on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the coin mechanism shown in FIGURE 2 taken along the line 3- 3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the coin mechanism shown in FIGURE 3 taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of one form of merchandising machine with which our coin mechanism can be used.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of the coin guide assembly of our coin caddy change-making mechanism illustrating the path of a quarter therethrough.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of the coin guide of our coin caddy change-making mechanism with parts removed and illustrating the possible paths of nickels passing therethrough.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of the coin guide assembly of our coin caddy change-making mechanism illustrating the path of movement of dimes therethrough.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view of our coin caddy changemaking mechanism taken along the line 99 of FIGURE 2 and drawn on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view of the totalizer regulating dashpot of our coin caddy change-making mechanism.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, our coin mechanism, indicated generally by the reference character 10, includes a frame 12 carrying a coin slot 14 through which nickels, dimes and quarters pass to a coin separator and slug rejector assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 16. The subassembly 16 may be any suitable coin separator and slug rejector known to the art such, for example, as that shown in Gabrielsen Patent No. 2,975,880. From the separator 16 all coins pass into and through a totalizer assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 18 such, for example, as that shown in Gabrielsen Patent No. 2,957,568. As is described in the Gabrielsen patent, quarters passing through the totalizer 18 actuate a feeler 20, dimes actuate two feelers 22 and 24, while nickels actuate only the feeler 22. As the coins opearte the various feelers, a totalizer bar 26 moves downwardly through an aggregate distance which is the analog of the sum in coins passing through the totalizer. Bar 26 is adapted to position a pin 28 in a manner which will be described hereinafter.

Coins emerging from the totalizer 18 pass through a coin guide assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 30, which guides the first nickel in a manner to be described to a position at which it is fed to a change tube 32 when the coins are accepted. Coins other than the first nickel emerging from the totalizer 18 fall into an escrow coin caddy assembly, indicated generally by the reference character 34. As will be described more fully hereinafter, when coins are accepted coins from the caddy assembly 34 are delivered to the cash box. Alternatively, if a coin return rod 36 is actuated, coins in the caddy assembly 34, as well as the first nickel, are returned to the customer. Means is provided for preventing the first nickel from being fed to the tube 32 when it is full.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 6 to 9, quarters comingout of the totalizer 18 along a path indicated in broken lines along which they are directed by a guide surface 38 are diverted slightly laterally by boss 40 in the path of the quarters. Nickels traveling along a path, indicated by dot-dash lines in the FIGURES, in generally the same plane as the quarters pass out of the totalizer 18 at the same general location as do the quarters but in slightly laterally spaced relation thereto owing to the action of boss 40 on the quarters. As is explained more fully in the second Gabrielsen patent referred to hereinabove, dimes pass through the totalizer 18 in a plane laterally displaced from the plane of travel of nickels and quarters along a dotted line path so as to emerge at generally the same location as do nickels and quarters but in laterally spaced relation thereto. Thus, as viewed in FIG- URE 2, quarters, nickels and dimes pass from the totalizer 18 and into the coin guide 30 at generally the same location but with the nickel behind the quarter and the dime behind the nickel.

The coin guide 30 includes a casting 42 on one side of which we form curved guides 44 and 46 so that the first nickel entering the guide assembly 30 is directed by guide 46 toward guide 44. As its travel continues. it moves toward the left as viewed in FIGURE 7 onto an inclined guide 48 along which it normally would travel to the change tube 32. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the first nickel normally is retained on the upper part of the guide 48 by a projection 52 on an arm 54. The second nickel and subsequent nickels entering the assembly 30 are guided by guides 46 and 44. Owing to the presence of the first nickel at the top of the guide 48, however, they are not permitted to move on to that guide but are directed out of the guide 30 by an inclined surface 56. Respective partitions 58 and 60 secured to the casting 42 by any suitable means, such as by screws 62, retain the nickels in the space formed by guides 44, 46, 48 and by a boss '64 between the one side of the casting and the partitions.

The screws 62 which secure the partition 60 to the casting 42 also secure a quarter guide chute 66 over the partition 60. Quarters leaving the totalizer 18 are directed into the chute 66 and travel downwardly therethrough and out through the bottom of the chute. One of the screws 62 which secures the partition 58 to the casting 42 carries a bushing 68 which ivotally supports a full coin tube lever 70. Lever 70 has a projection 72 on one end thereof which extends through an opening 74 in partition 60. The other end of lever 70 carries a feeler lug 76 adapted to 'be engaged by the uppermost nickel in coil tube 32 to pivot lever 70 slightly in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 6 and 7 to position the stop 72 at a location at which it prevents entry of the first nickel onto the guide 48.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, the side of casting 42 remote the guides 44 and 46 carries spaced guides 78 and 80. Suitable means, such as screws 82, secure a cover plate 84 over this side of the casting 42 to provide a dime coin chute through the guide assembly 30. A deflector 86 on the bottom of plate 84 moves dimes slightly laterally as they leave the assembly 30. A guide 88 secured to the casting 42 by screws 90 or the like is formed with a pair of deflectors 92 and 94 for directing rejected coins or slugs passing from the rejector 16 and the totalizer 18 back to the customer by means of the coin return chute (not shown).

A pin 96 on the plate 84 pivotally supports the change nickel escrow arm 54. The offset 52 formed on this arm extends into an arcuate slot 100 in the casting 42. A spring 102 extending between the upper end of the arm and a pin 104 on plate 84 normally biases the arm 54 to a position at which the lug or projection 52 moves out of the slot 100 or in a counterclockwise direction as Viewed in FIGURE 8. We provide the arm 54 with a flange 106 along one edge thereof and with an offset 108 on the lower end of the other edge thereof as viewed in FIGURE 8 for reasons which will be explained hereinafter.

The escrow coin caddy assembly 34 of our coin mechanism includes a generally rectangular enclosure 110, two sides of which have guide extensions 112 and 114 thereon. We mount the enclosure by any suitable means such as by screws (not shown) on a bracket 116 secured to the frame 12. A generally rectangular frame 118 supports a bottom 120 which normally closes the bottom of the enclosure 110. Respective springs 122 and 124 connected between the frame and pins 126 on the enclosure normally urge the frame 118 to a position at which the bottom closes the bottom of the enclosure 110. We provide the frame 118 with a crank arm 128 along one side thereof. Arm 128 carries a pin 130 which rides in a slot 132 formed in one end of a lever 134. As will be explained hereinbelow, lever 134 is adapted to be moved in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 2, to cause the bottom 120 to rotate around the lefthand edge of the enclosure 110. Alternatively, lever 134 can be driven in a counterclockwise direction to cause the bottom 120 to rotate about the righthand edge of the enclosure 110.

From the structure thus far described and assuming that the coin tube is not full of nickels, all coins, except the first nickel, entering the guide assembly 30 from the coin totalizer 18 pass from the guide assembly 30 into the enclosure 110 and are retained therein by the bottom 120. We provide means for tilting the bottom 120 in one of the directions described above to accept coins from the caddy 110 when a purchase is made.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 to 5, one type of merchandising machine indicated generally by the reference character 136 with which our coin mechanism can be used includes a wall 138 provided with a bracket 140 which may support the coin mechanism 110. A machine such as the machine 136 is more fully described in the copending application of Calzaretta et 211., Serial No. 632,247, filed April 20, 1967. The machine includes a pull knob 142 adapted to be withdrawn from and then returned into a housing 144 to actuate a mechanism (not shown) for delivering an article of merchandise. This operation, however, can only be achieved when suflicient coins are deposited in the machine to aggregate the purchase price of the desired article. Assuming that the mechanism is free, the customer withdraws the knob 142 and, as is described more fully in the copending application, an operating bar 146 is coupled to the knob and moves along an arcuate slot 148 as viewed in FIGURE 5. When this occurs, bar 146 moves a link 150 to the left. We may provide the machine with a full-stroke mechanism including a rack 152 and a pawl 154 biased by a spring 156 to a position at which it normally engages the rack teeth. As the link 150 moves to the left, it drives a crank plate 158 in a clockwise direction around a pivot 160 by means of a connection comprising an L-shaped slot 162 and a pin 164 on the crank 158. A speed control link 166 supported on a pivot 168 on wall 138 has a stepped slot 170 which receives a pin 172 on link 150 to prevent too rapid a movement of the mechanism as described more fully in the copending application. As the crank 158 pivots in a clockwise direction, a link 174 connected between a pin 176 on crank 158 and a pin 178 on an arm 180 pivoted on a shaft 182 on wall 138 tends to drive the arm 180 to the left as viewed in FIGURE 5. A slot 184 in the arm 180 receives a guide pin 186 on wall 138. When the knob 142 is released or is pushed in, the operating mechanism returns to the full-line posititon shown in FIGURE 5 under the action of a spring return (not shown).

As has been explained hereinabove, the machine operating mechanism just described cannot be operated unless sufiicient coins have been deposited in the mechanism 10. This mechanism 10 includes a normally immobilized locking bar 188 having a pin 190 disposed in a slot 192 in the arm 180 of the machine operating mechanism when the coin mechanism is mounted on the machine. It is the engagement between pin 190 and arm 180 which prevents operation of the machine until a sum in coins equaling the purchase price has been deposited in the machine.

As has further been explained hereinabove, the totalizer 18 positions a pin 28 carrying a roller 194 in accordance with the sum in coins which passes through the totalizer. Our mechanism includes a bar 196 carried for vertical sliding movement in a pair of guides 198 and 200. As the roller 194 moves downwardly, bar 196 similarly moves downwardly under the influence of gravity. An extension 202 on bar 196 carries rack teeth 204 which engage a pinion 206 pivotally supported on a price differential bar 208 supported for vertical movement by a pin 210 riding in a slot 212 in the bar. A spring 214 normally urges the bar 208 to a position at which the pin 210 is in the bottom of the slot 212.

A fixed guide 216 on the frame 12 and an adjustable guide 218 supported on the frame by pins 220 riding in slots 222 in the guide bracket 224 support the bar 188 for movement left and right as viewed in FIGURE 4. Bar 196 carries a stop block 226 while bar 188 carries a stop block 228. When not enough coins have been deposited in the coin mechanism 10 to aggregate the purchase price of an article and if an attempt is made to operate the machine 136 by rotating arm 180 in a direction to move pin 190 to the left as viewed in FIGURE 5, block 226 is in the path of block 228 and the mechanism cannot be operated. When sufiicient coins have been deposited to permit a purchase to be made, .then block 226 has been moved to a position at which it is out of the path of block 228, bar 188 is free to move to the right as viewed in FIGURE 4, and the operating mechanism of the machine 136 can be operated to cause an article to be delivered to the customer.

As has been explained hereinabove, our coin mechanism provides for a price differential from a base price. The machine with which our mechanism is associated includes a price ditferential liuk 230 carried by a shaft 232 supported in wall 138 and extending across the width of the machine 136. A spring 234 normally urges crank 230 to the position shown in FIGURE 5. If a customer desires to purchase an article which is to sell at a price which is greater than the base price for which the coin mechanism 10 is set, upon operation of the knob 142 a finger 236 carried by shaft 232 at the location of the particular section is actuated by means (not shown) to rotate shaft 232 through an arc corresponding to the differential provided. It will be appreciated that the various fingers are adjusted around shaft 232 to provide various price differentials for different sections of the machine. When crank 230 rotates, a lug 238 thereon strikes a pin 240 on a closed track cam plate 242 rotatably supported on a shaft 244 on the frame 12. A spring 246 normally urges plate 242 to a position at which a follower roller 248 carried by the price differential bar 208 is at one end of one of a number of cam tracks 250 in the plate 242. It will be understood that the various tracks 25% may be shaped so as to provide different price differentials.

When the cam plate 242 rotates, the track 250 acts on roller 248 to move bar 208 downwardly against the action of spring 214. A lever 252 pivotally supported at one end on a pin 254 on the frame receives a pin 256 on rod 208. The other end of the lever 252 receives a pin 258 on bracket 224. Owing to these connections, when the price differential bar 208 moves downwardly, bracket 224 moves downwardly and locking bar 188 pivots slightly in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 4. It will readily be appreciated that when this occurs, a greater sum must be deposited in the machine to move block 226 out of the path of block 228 than that which would be required if only the base price need be deposited.

Our coin mechanism is also so arranged as to give a sum in nickels equal to the difference between the amount deposited and the purchase price of the selected article. A plurality of superposed coin dispensing blades 260 supported in a housing 262 below the coin tube 32 are adapted selectively to be coupled to a drive slide 264. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, when a purchase is made a coupler arm driving link 266 pivotally supported on a pin 268 is driven to position an arm 270 pivotally 7 supported on a pin 272 to couple a predetermined number of the blades 260 to the drive slide 264 by means of a flange 274 on the arm 270.

The are through which the arm 270 can be moved thus to determine the number of blades 260 coupled and the number of nickels given in change is governed by a change determining cam 276 pivotally supported on a pin 278. A spring 280 normally urges the cam 276 to a limit position at which the highest surface 282 thereon is in the path of movement of a lug 284 on arm 270 to prevent coupling of any blades when no change is to be given.

Pins 286 slidably support a change determining rack 288 for vertical sliding movement on the frame in a position at which the rack teeth engage pinion 206. It will be appreciated that when the totalizer bar 254 moves downwardly as coins move through the totalizer 18, teeth 204 drive pinion 206 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 4 to raise bar 288. This bar extends through the wall of the frame 12 and a flange thereon carries a plurality of vertically spaced holes 290 which adjustably receive a wire 292 extending through a flange 294 in a crank 296 and having an offset 298 below the flange. After a predetermined sum corresponding to the base price has been totalized, upon deposit of the next coin, offset 298 engages flange 294 to pivot crank 296 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2. When that occurs, a tab 300 on the crank drives cam 276 in a counterclockwise direction to position one of a number of change determining surfaces 302 in the path of lug 284 to couple a predetermined number of blades to the slide. Of course when the price differential mechanism operates to move bar 208 downwardly, pinion 206 rides on rack 204 to cause bar 288 to move downwardly to cancel change as required. Since the change-making mechanism per se forms no part of our invention, it will not be described in detail. The particulars of this arrangement are shown and described in Krakauer et al. Patent 3,144,924.

As has been explained hereinabove, if the tube 32 is not full of nickels, the first nickel deposited in the coin mechanism 10 when a purchase is made is held at the top of the guide 48 by the projection 52 on the arm 54. Moreover, spring 102 normally urges arm 54 out of the position at which the projection 52 blocks the path of the first nickel so that from the structure thus far described, it would be thought that the first nickel would roll down guide 48 and into tube 32. Our coin mechanism includes a coin accept and change slide drive arm 304 pivotally supported on a pin 306 on the frame 12. The upper end of the arm 304, as viewed in FIGURE 2, carries bifurcations 308 and 310. A pin 309 on the locking bar 188 drives an arm 311 pivotally supported on a pin 313 on the frame 12. Arm 311 carries a roller 312 which extends through the frame wall into the space between the two bifurcations 308 and 310. In the position of the parts shown, a pin 314 on bifurcation 308 is in the path of an offset 316 on the arm 54. This pin is engaged by offset 316 under the action of spring 102 to hold the arm 54 in a position at which the projection 52 retains the first nickel at the top of the track 48. When a sum in coins aggregating the purchase price of a selected article has been deposited and the knob 142 is pulled to make the purchase, crank arm 180 drives locking bar 188 to the left as viewed in FIGURES 2 and and to the right as viewed in FIGURE 4. When this occurs arm 311 rotates clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 4 against the action of a spring 315, roller 312 moves to the left as viewed in FIGURE 2, pin 314 moves away from the offset 316 and spring 102 is permitted to pivot the arm 54 to a position at which the projection 52 moves out of the path of the first nickel to permit it to roll down into the tube 32.

Arm 304 carries a pin 318 which engages a cam surface 320 on the underside of lever 134 when arm 304 rotates in a counterclockwise direction to pivot lever 134 in a direction to tilt the bottom 120 of the coin caddy about its lefthand edge as viewed in FIGURE 2 to permit coins in the caddy to fall into the cash box (not shown).

A second pin 322 on the lower end of arm 304 rides in a slot 324 in the change slide coupling link 266. As the arm 304 pivots in a counterclockwise direction, link 266 first drives the blade coupler 27 0 through the medium of a spring 326 to couple the correct number of blades 260 to slide 264. Further movement of arm 304 drives slide 264 to cause the correct number of nickels to be given in change. When the plunger 142 is moved back into the housing, the parts return to their normal positions. We connect the end of lever 134 remote from slot 132 to a dashpot mechanism, indicated generally by the reference character 328, to prevent a too rapid return of the coin caddy bottom to its closed position such as might result in catching coins still falling from the totalizer when the machine is operated too rapidly. Otherwise, the coins could be retrieved by operating the coin return. This operation is more fully described in Krakauer et al. Patent No. 3,144,924.

Arm 311 carries another roller 330 which engages an arm 332 to move a reset bar 334 in a direction to cancel the credit by engaging roller 194 to move it upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 4.

We also provide our mechanism with means for returning coins to a customer if he so desires before he has made a purchase. The plunger housing 144 slidably supports a coin return pull bar 336 adapted to be actuated by a knob 338. When the knob is pulled, pins 340 on the bar 336 pivot a bell crank 342 pivotally supported on a pin 344 on the frame 12. One of the arms of the bell crank has a slot 346 which receives a pin 348 carried by a link 350 of the coin return mechanism. Link 350 carries a pin 352 which extends through a slot 354 in a second coin return link 356. This disposition of parts, together with a spring 358 connected between pin 352 and the link 356 provides a lost motion connection in the event that the parts are for any reason jammed. A spring 360 connected between an arm 362 pivotally supported on the frame and a bracket 364 normally urges the coin return linkage upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 4 by means of a pin 366 connecting arm 362 to link 356. We provide link 356 with a roller 368 adapted to engage a cam surface 370 on lever 332 to reset the totalizer mechanism when the coin return is operated. A pin 372 supporting roller 368 extends through the wall of the frame 12 and is connected to a link 374 slidably supported on the frame by pins 376 disposed in slots 378. A pin 380 on link 374 rides in a slot 382 formed in a crank 384 pivotally supported on a shaft 386 on the frame. A spring 388 connected between an offset 390 on crank 384 and a lever 392 normally urges the lever to a limit position with respect to the crank 384 as shown in FIGURE 2. When link 374 moves downwardly as viewed in FIGURE 2, crank 384 moves in a clockwise direction. When that occurs, a flange 394 on lever 392 moves into engagement with the flange 106 on arm 54 to pivot the arm in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 7. The first nickel is kicked back off guide 48 to permit it to drop toward the coin caddy to be returned to the customer. Link 374 carries another pin 396 which as the link moves downwardly engages a surface 398 on lever 134 to pivot the lever in a counterclockwise direction around its pivot, the bottom tilts about its righthand edge and coins fall out of the caddy to the coin return chute.

We provide our totalizer bar 196 with an improved dashpot mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 400 for ensuring that the customer cannot be cheated of any money. There is described in Krakauer et a1. Patent 3,144,924 referred to hereinabove a dashpot mechanism which slows up the first nickels credit so that the customer depositing a quarter, for example, to make a 20 purchase will not be cheated of his nickel change by operating the pull bar too rapidly.

As has been described hereinabove, there exists a further possibility that a customer may be cheated out of a nickel in change. That is, heretofore only the first nickels credit has been delayed and the totalizer mechanism is permitted to freewheel after that first nickel is credited. Where a customer desiring to make a purchase upon the deposit of two dimes operates the pull bar as the second dime is passing through the mechanism 10, he may lose the last dimes credit and receive no change. We have modified the dashpot mechanism 400 to obviate this result by slowing the third nickels credit. We connect bar 196 to the rod 402 of a piston 404 having a hollow interior 406. We provide the outer surface of the piston with an annular groove 408 connected by a hole or holes 410 to the interior 406 of the piston. Piston 404 is adapted to slide within a cylinder 412, the upper end of which is closed by a plate 414. A screw 416 clamps a rubber disk 418 between an end plate 420 and the plate 414. As the piston moves upwardly into the cylinder, air can pass relatively freely through an opening 422 in plate 414 past a one-way valve 424 in disk 418 and out through an opening 426 in plate 420. With the piston 404 at the top of the cylinder the weight of the bar 196, when free, tends to move the piston downwardly. Air, however, is not permitted to move past valve 424 in this direction. Some air however seeps in through an opening 428 in disk 418 and through a hole 430 in plate 414 to permit the piston to move downwardly relatively slowly. We provide a cut 432 in the wall of cylinder 412 at a predetermined distance below plate 414.

Assuming that the piston 404 is at the top of cylinder 412 and that the customer deposits two dimes in succession in the mechanism, piston 404 starts moving downwardly relatively slowly for a nickels worth of movement. When the first nickel is totalized, groove 408 has arrived at a position adjacent cut 432 and air is permitted to flow relatively rapidly through the holes 410 into the inside of the piston. The piston will then move downwardly rapidly until the portion of the piston above groove 408 covers cut 432. This second step of rela' tively rapid movement corresponds to the second nickels worth of credit. The piston continues to move downwardly relatively slowly as the third nickel is totalized until piston 404 is entirely clear of the upper edge of the cut 432, at which time subsequent credit is established rapidly. In this way a customer is not permitted to operate the knob 142 until his entire has been credited. Thus, he is not cheated out of a nickel change.

In operation of our ooin caddy change-making mechanism, coins deposited in the slot 14 pass through the separator and slug rejector 16 and then through the totalizer mechanism 18. As the coins pass through the totalizer, pin 28 and roller 194 move downwardly through an aggregate distance corresponding to the sum in coins deposited in the slot. As the roller 194 moves downwardly, bar 196 follows. Initially the bar is 'at the upper limit of its movement and piston 404 is at the top of the cylinder 412. Bar 196 can move down only at a relatively slow rate until groove 408 registers with slot 432. This movement corresponds to the first nickel of credit. Piston 404 then moves downwardly relatively rapidly through another nickels worth of credit until the upper portion of the piston covers the slot 432 again to slow the movement for the third nickels worth of credit. After that time, the bar 196 is permitted to move relatively rapidly to add credit.

The first nickel coming from the totalizer is guided to a position at which it rests at the head of the chute 48 in which position it is retained by the projection 52. All the other coins pass directly from the guide assembly into the caddy 34.

If a sum in coins aggregating at least the purchase price of an article has been deposited, stop block 226 is clear of block 228 and a knob 142 can be operated to make a purchase. At the same time, the price differential mechanism is operated if a price differential is provided and the change-making slide 264 is driven to give the correct sum in change in nickels. As the locking bar 188 is driven when a purchase is made, the pin 314 on bifurcation 308 moves away from offset 316 to permit spring 102 to pivot arm 54 to move stop 52 out of the path of the first nickel to permit it to roll along track 48 to the change coin tube 32. At the same time pin 318 on lever 134 engages surface 320 to swing bottom open by pivoting the bottom around its lefthand edge to deliver the other coins to the coin box.

If before a purchase is made the customer wishes his money returned, he operates the coin return pull bar 338 to move link 356 downwardly. When that occurs pin 396 engages surface 398 to move lever 134 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2 to swing the bottom 120 around its righthand edge to return coins to the customer. At the same time the olfset 394 on lever 392 engages the flange 106 on arm 54 to cause the projection 52 to drive the first nickel off the track 48 to permit it to fall toward the caddy 34 through which it moves back to the customer.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention. We have provided a coin caddy changemaking mechanism which has a large capacity. The construction of our mechanism is such that the possibility of jamming is minimized. Our structure is relatively simple for the result achieved thereby. We provide means for slowing totalization of both the first and third steps of totalizing movement.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim 1s:

1. In a coin mechanism for a merchandising machine provided with means operable to deliver an :article of merchandise to a customer, a coin totalizer for receiving coins deposited in said machine, a coin caddy for releasably holding coins in escrow, a change coin supply holder for coins of a certain denomination to be given in change, a coin guide assembly disposed between said totalizer and said c'oin caddy, said guide assembly comprising means forming a first guide path for directing a coin of said certain denomination from said totalizer to said change coin supply, means for releasably retaining the first coin of said certain denomination entering said guide assembly from said totalizer on said first path, said guide assembly comprising means for directing coins other than said first coin to said caddy, and means responsive to operation of said delivery means for concomitantly disabling said first coin retaining means and for actuating said caddy to accept coins therein.

2. In a coin mechanism as in claim 1 in which said coin caddy is disposed below said guide assembly.

3. In a coin mechanism as in claim 1 in which said directing means for coins other than said first coin comprises said first coin.

4. In a coin mechanism as in claim 1 including means responsive to :a full supply of coins in said change coin holder for blocking entry of said first coin onto said first path.

5. In a coin mechanism as in claim 1 in which said machine comprises a coin return mechanism and means responsive to operation of said coin return mechanism for actuating said retaining means to deliver a retained first coin from said first path to said caddy.

6. In a coin mechanism for a merchandising machine provided with means operable to deliver an article of merchandise to a customer, a coin totalizer for receiving coins deposited in said machine, a coin caddy for releasably holding coins in escrow, a change coin supply holder for coins of a certain denomination to be given in change, a coin guide assembly disposed between said totalizer and said coin caddy, said guide assembly comprising means forming a first guide path for directing a coin of said certain denomination from said totalizer to said change coin supply, said first path comprising an outlet along the length thereof leading to said coin caddy, mean disposed along said path beyond said outlet for releasably retaining the first coin of said certain denomination passing through said guide assembly along said first path, the construction being such that coins of said first denomination following said first coin along said path are directed by said first coin to said outlet, said guide assembly comprising means for directing coins other than said first coin to said caddy, and means responsive to operation of said delivery means for concomitantly disabling said retaining means and for actuating said caddy to accept coins therein.

7. In a coin mechanism as in claim 6 in which said machine includes a coin return mechanism and means responsive to said coin return mechanism for actuating said retaining means to' direct a retained coin to said outlet.

8. In a coin mechanism as in claim 6 in which said retaining means comprises an obstruction, means mounting said obstruction adjacent said path for movement to a first position to retain a coin on said path portion and to a second position to permit a coin to be delivered to said change coin supply and to a third position at which it directs a coin toward said opening, means normally holding said obstruction in said first position, said means responsive to operation of said delivery means moving said obstruction from said first position to said second position, a coin return mechanism and means responsive to operation of said coin return mechanism for moving said obstruction from said first position to said second position.

9. In a coin mechanism for a merchandising machine provided with means operable to deliver an article of merchandise to a customer, a coin totalizer for receiving coins deposited in said machine, a coin caddy for releasably holding coins in escrow, a change coin supply holder for coins of a certain denomination to be given in change, a coin guide assembly disposed between said totalizer and said coin caddy, said guide assembly comprising means forming a first guide path for directing a coin of said certain denomination from said totalizer to said change coin supply, said first path comprising an outlet along the length thereof leading to said coin caddy, an obstruction, an arm mounting said obstruction adjacent said path for movement to a first position to retain a coin on a path portion beyond said outlet and to a second position to permit a coin to travel along said first path to said change coin supply and to a third position at which it directs a coin toward said opening, means biasing said arm to move said obstruction toward said second position, a member movable in response to operation of said delivery means and interengageable means on said member and on said arm for normally retaining said arm in said first position against the action of said biasing means, a coin return mechanism comprising a second member mounted for movement adjacent said arm and second interengageable means on said arm and on said second member for moving said obstruction to said third position in response to operation of said coin return mechanism.

10. In a coin mechanism as in claim 6 in which said retaining means comprises an obstruction, means mounting said obstruction adjacent said path for movement to a first position to retain a coin on said path portion and to a second position to permit a coin to be delivered to said change coin supply and to a third position at which it directs a coin toward said opening, means normally holding said obstruction in said first position, said means responsive to operation of said delivery means moving said obstruction from said first position to said second position, a coin return mechanism and means responsive to operation of said coin return mechanism for moving said obstruction from said first position to said second position, said coin caddy comprising a container for receiving coins from said guide assembly, a bottom for said container, means biasing said container to a closed position over said bottom, means mounting said bottom for movement in one direction from said closed position to accept coins and for movement in another direction from said closed position to return coins to a customer, means responsive to operation of said delivery means for moving said bottom in said one direction and means responsive to operation of said coin return mechanism for moving said bottom in said other direction.

11. In a coin mechanism, a totalizer member, means mounting said member for movement in at least three successive steps from an initial position at a normal speed, each of said steps :being the analogue of the value of a coin of a certain denomination, means responsive to the deposit of coins in said totalizer for moving said member and means for slowing the movement of said member from said normal speed during the third step of movement from said initial position.

12. In a coin mechanism as in claim 11, means for slowing the movement of said member from said normal speed during the first step of movement from said initial position.

13. In a coin mechanism as in claim 11 in which said member is a bar mounted for generally vertical movement under the influence of gravity, said slowing means comprising a cylinder having an open end and having a closed end, a piston disposed in said cylinder in hermetically sealed relation to the wall thereof, means extending through said open end for connecting said piston to said bar,- means at the closed end of said cylinder permitting seepage of air therethrough to permit said piston to move relatively slowly from a position adjacent said closed end toward said open end in response to the force of gravity on said bar, said cylinder having a wall opening intermediate the ends thereof and passage forming means intermediate the ends of said piston communicating with the atmosphere.

14. In a coin mechanism for a merchandising machine provided with means operable to deliver an article of merchandise to a customer and having a coin return actuating mechanism, a coil totalizer for receiving coins deposited in said machine, a change coin supply holder for coins of a certain denomination to be given in change, first escrow means for releasably retaining the first coin of said certain denomination received from said totalizer, second escrow means for releasably retaining coins other than said first coin received from said totalizer, said first escrow means adapted to be actuated alternately to deliver said first coin to said change coin supply and to return said coin to a customer, said second escrow means adapted to be actuated alternately to accept said other coins and to return said other coins to a customer, means responsive to operation of said delivery means for actuating said first escrow means to deliver said first coin to said change coin supply and for actuating said second escrow means to accept said other coins and means responsive to operation of said coin return mechanism for actuating said first and said second escrow means to return coins to a customer.

15. In a coin mechanism as in claim 14 in which said coin totalizer comprises a totalizer member, means mounting said totalizer member for movement from an initial position at a normal speed in successive steps, each of said steps being the analogue of the value of a coin of a particular denomination, means responsive to the deposit of coins in said totalizer for moving said member and means for slowing the movement of said member from said normal speed during the third step of movement from said initial position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,618,280 11/1952 York 1335 2,975,880 3/1961 Gabrielsen 194-99 3,144,924 8/1964 Krakauer et al. 19418 WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 194-48 

